Paddle board or kayak along cypress knees on the Loxahatchee River for a throw back in time to the early settlers’ days in Jupiter and Tequesta.  Take in the remarkable river scenery and the ecosystems that the Loxahatchee River supports including cypress knees. 

What is a cypress knee you ask? A cypress knee is a unique characteristic of a cypress tree forming above the roots. Their purpose is mysterious, and they are generally seen on trees growing in swamps. Some current theories say that they might help to “aerate the tree's roots, create a barrier to catch sediment and reduce erosion, assist in anchoring the tree in the soft and muddy soil, or any combination thereof”. 

The Loxahatchee River is one of the best ways to see Old Florida up close. It can take five hours or more to make the eight-mile trip from Riverbend Park in Jupiter to Jonathan Dickinson State Park.  Jonathon Dickinson State Park is the largest state park in southeast Florida. But there are easy, kid-friendly 1–2-hour routes that are just as interesting.  

The Loxahatchee River is rumpled with large cypress trees, various ferns, a variety of air plants and cypress knees along a narrow, twisty route. Expect to see birds, turtles, and alligators along the way. If you prefer to let someone else do the boating, book a river ride on the Manatee Queen pontoon boat instead.